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Vilcabamba Glimpse #65
Estate at Hacienda San Joaquin
This 14-acre estate took three-plus years to complete. It features an extraordinary setting and spectacular views of the Andes Mountains. Its southern boundary is on the Vilcabamba River with two lakes between the river and the property.
One enters the property through stone columns and a custom-designed wrought-iron gate.
The Main Residence is 5,300 square feet with an additional 2,972 square feet of porches and balconies. There is a large stone-walled slate-floor patio and three large fish (tilapia) ponds in front of the main house. One of the ponds has an island with a gazebo. The home features four bedrooms and seven baths with granite and marble counter-tops throughout.
On the first floor, a beautiful Great Room features, an original full-wall horse-scene mural, an extraordinary fireplace with a natural stone-wall backing, exposed beam wood ceilings and trusses, oversized windows and spectacular views. The large kitchen, with a cross-pattern wood-beam ceiling, has custom cabinetry, a separate pantry, and granite counter-tops. Hardwood and ceramic floors, custom windows and doors, crown moldings, and skylights are featured throughout. On the first floor are three bedrooms (one designed for a live-in helper), three full baths, a powder room, a laundry and mudroom. The basement features a stone-walled wine cellar and a beautifully finished additional room.
The oversized second-floor master bedroom and sitting area has exposed-beam wood ceilings as do the separate his and hers marble bathrooms with walk-in closets. Off the master bedroom is a large balcony with spectacular views of the Andes Mountains and Vilcabamba River. The balcony wraps around the side and back of the house. Also on the second floor are a video room, an office, massage room and gym (with full bath) all with great views, and a wrought-iron lined corridor that looks down on the Great Room.
The Main Residence is surrounded on all four sides by porches. The porches are 10-feet deep on the front and open to a large 30-foot radius half-circle stone-walled patio in front of the house, perfect for outdoor parties, entertaining and dancing. Multiple flower gardens bring splashes of color year round.
The beautiful 1,500 square foot Guest House provides a Great Room with two large original horse-scene murals, two bedrooms and two baths with granite counter-tops, a loft in one bedroom, a kitchen with custom cabinetry and granite counter tops, seven skylights, a pantry with a granite countertop, and laundry room. Ceramic and hardwood floors and exposed beam wood ceilings are featured throughout. Three ponds and flower gardens front the main house and guest house.
The separate three-car ceramic-floor garage features custom windows and doors, exposed beam wood ceilings, a large attached work room, attractive pavers in the large garage courtyard and a two-tiered flower garden in the center of the courtyard.
The stone-walled guest-parking area, adjacent to the courtyard, accommodates four cars with ample additional parking in the courtyard.
The garages, main residence and guest house are connected by porches and covered walkways with rich exposed-beam wood ceilings.
The beautiful indoor sky-lit solar-heated salt-chlorinated lap pool which is thirteen feet wide by fifty-two feet long, and accompanying large Jacuzzi, are in a separate building adjacent to the main house.
A very attractive outdoor brick-oven building, adjacent to the main house kitchen, is located off the walkway between the main house and guest house.
A plant nursery is located near the organic vegetable and fruit gardens with three tilapia ponds as a source of fresh fish. Mature fruit trees include banana, mango, papaya, and avocado.
The beautiful horse stable features ten spacious stalls, a tack room, bathroom, kitchen, maintenance room and food processing stall. Separately, there is a gazebo-type structure for social gatherings after riding.
The world-class clay tennis court is surrounded by beautiful stone walls and has flower gardens in each corner.
The three-court volleyball stadium seats 250 people and is probably the best in Ecuador and maybe in all of South America.
A large orchard has about 50 citrus trees including orange, tangerine, lemon and lime.
Three large fenced horse pastures are on seven of the acres.
The photos:
Best, Joe
P.S. International Living named Ecuador "The Best Place in the World to Retire" http://www.haciendasanjoaquin.com/best_in_the_world.html